I am sure that most of you know Shannon from the blog Rocks in My Dryer. If you do not read her blog, why not? You are missing out! I love the name of her blog, by the way. I don’t think that I have ever done laundry and NOT found rocks banging around in there when the load was done. At least not since I have become a parent. I am pretty sure that in my childless days I did not fill my pockets with rocks and then toss them in the laundry.

Although last night my blog would have been called Ballpoint Pen Explodes in My Dryer or Mother Loses Her Ever Lovin’ Mind Because There Is Ink All Over the Dryer and Clothing. But that blog url might be a little cumbersome, don’t you think?

I asked Shannon if she had a recipe to post over here during November and she immediately told me about the drink mixes she makes with her children as gifts. This is a fabulous idea! My family has done a similar idea in the past and it was always well received. I also love the idea of having my children help make the presents that we give to people. It makes the whole gift giving thing more tangible to them, while also making it less consumer driven.

Anyway, enough about how much I love this idea. I know you all will love it too.

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There are plenty of people who are deserving of a thoughtful gesture from my family at the holidays; in particular, I think of the people who invest time in my children (soccer coaches, crossing guards, school nurse, etc.). But I have multiple children, in multiple activities. My heart may be big, but my budget? Not so much. Each year I try to find a creative, thoughtful way to spread a little holiday cheer, without breaking the bank.

One of my favorite ways to do this is by mixing and packing up hot drink mixes to give to neighbors, coaches and others. It is an easy and affordable gift to whip together, and it’s always warmly appreciated by the recipient. With the mounds of rich foods changing hands at the holidays, a simple drink mix is a nice change of pace. Best of all, it’s so easy to assemble that the kids can get involved.

Here are a couple of my time-tested favorite recipes:

FIRESIDE COFFE
1 cup powdered creamer
1 cup powdered hot chocolate mix
2/3 cup instant coffee
½ cup sugar
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. nutmeg
Mix together in large container and distribute into jars. Instructions attached to jar should read “Mix 3-4 heaping spoonfuls in a mug of hot water.”

HOT SPICED TEA
2 cups Tang
1 package Wylers instant lemonade
2/3 cup lemon flavored instant tea
3 cups sugar
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp cinnamon
Mix together in large container and distribute into jars. Instructions attached to jar should read “Mix 3-4 heaping spoonfuls in a mug of hot water.”

Packaging these drink mixes is a snap. You can, of course, buy some cute packaging at a craft store, though I’ve found simple mason jars to be just as lovely (and reusable by the recipient). Look for small mason jars at your grocer (usually well under a dollar apiece), or scope out your favorite thrift store.

Fill each jar with the drink mix of your choosing. Cut a small square of holiday fabric (NO sewing required!) and cover the jar lid. Tie it with ribbon or raffia, attach a cute tag with mixing instructions, and maybe even slip a plastic spoon in the band of ribbon around the lid.

Load up several in your favorite large basket, and enjoy distributing this thoughtful gift!

Shannon Lowe blogs at Rocks In My Dryer. She’s a contributing editor for BlogHer and writes weekly at Parenting.com.

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